Easily accessible resources

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Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

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Posted Sep. 25, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Updated Sep 25, 2012 at 2:29 PM

Posted Sep. 25, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Updated Sep 25, 2012 at 2:29 PM

YREKA

Slowly but surely, Siskiyou County Library services are being restored following years of severe budget cuts. This summer, two valuable services were reintroduced at the library, said Siskiyou County Librarian Michael Perry. They are Tutor.com and Reference USA.

According to Perry, the free and easily accessible resources are extremely user friendly. All one needs to access these programs is a library card.

Tutor.com

Tutor.com is an online tutoring service, explained Perry. Anyone with a library card may access the website 24 hours a day.

When patrons of all ages log onto Tutor.com by visiting the Siskiyou County Library website, they will have the option of clicking on a variety of different subjects to receive prompt tutoring assistance.

There are no requirements for patrons to enter their addresses and phone numbers to create an account, so privacy is not compromised, said Perry.

Patrons will have the option of clicking on any of the following icons: Student Center (for tutoring in math, science, social studies and English); Writing Center (for help with college-level English assignments); Adult Education Center (for General Education Degree and U.S. Citizenship test preparation); Career Center (to receive help in resume and interview skills); and College Center (where one can receive assistance with college-level questions).

The program is not video linked, and a shared screen will show the patron the tutor's diagrams and answers to questions.

"This is really a fantastic resource for many of the students here in Siskiyou County," said Perry. "It is a way for students to receive help at their own pace in the privacy of their own homes."

One unique feature of Tutor.com is patrons may pick their tutor when they log on. When patrons establish a rapport with their favorite tutor, they may receive help from the individual on a regular basis, said Perry.

ReferenceUSA

In addition to Tutor.com, the county library system has reinstated ReferenceUSA – a free database containing information on businesses nationwide.

"ReferenceUSA is geared toward entrepreneurs and is a nice complement to other market research programs," said Perry.

The program allows patrons to research company profiles and provides contact information for the businesses. Patrons may research companies by region or topic.

"For those looking to start new businesses, this can be a handy reference – and all you need is a library card," Perry stated.

Representatives from JEDI (Jefferson Economic Development Institute) utilize the library's ReferenceUSA program for their market research, said Perry.

He noted that the library also has a large selection of resource books on starting a new business.